How would you like your COVID-19? From a host with mild course disease, or from a severe one?

The clinical course of COVID-19 presents a broad spectrum, being asymptomatic in some individuals while following a severe course and resulting in mortality in others. It is known that such factors as age and chronic diseases can result in a different clinical courses in individuals, however, variable clinical courses among the similar individuals in terms of age and chronic diseases are also seen. Other possible factors affecting the course of the disease that are mostly speculative or under investigation are genetic factors and the origin of transmission or possible subtype of novel coronavirus. Whether the source of transmission is important in the clinical course of the disease is unknown. A case series composed of seven individuals in a similar age group, with different lines of descent and different genetic structures, but who were infected from the same source is presented here. The similar and different clinical, laboratory and radiological findings of the cases residing in the same nursing home, who presented to the hospital altogether, were evaluated. The aim of the study was to analyze whether the source of transmission is influential in the clinical course of the disease.

Effect of Changes in Intravascular Volume on Inferior Vena Cava and Aorta Diameters and the Caval/Aorta Index in Healthy Volunteers.

OBJECTIVES: Although inferior vena cava diameter (IVCD) measurement can be useful as a noninvasive method for monitoring the volume status, the benefit of abdominal aorta diameter (AAD) measurement is unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the value of the combined use of the IVCD and AAD in blood loss monitoring. METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted at the blood donor center of a training and research hospital. Standard blood donation criteria were followed during volunteer enrollment. Vital signs and ultrasound IVCD and AAD measurements were obtained before and after blood donation and after fluid resuscitation with 500 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride. Measurements before and after blood donation and after fluid resuscitation were compared by the paired t and Wilcoxon matched-pair tests. RESULTS: Thirty-nine volunteers were included in the study. With 500 mL of blood loss, percent changes in the shock index (SI; mean ± SD, 7% ± 6%), IVCD (6% ± 2%), and caval/aorta index (IVCD/AAD; 6.1% ± 3%) were similar and were higher (P < .001 for all parameters) than the changes in the pulse rate (3% ± 4%), AAD (0.5% ± 1.5%), systolic blood pressure (3% ± 4%), and diastolic blood pressure (2% ± 7%). Although IVCD and SI values changed significantly (P < .001 for both) after 500 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride resuscitation, no significant change was observed in the IVCD/AAD (P = .059). CONCLUSIONS: The IVCD/AAD, SI, and IVCD may have similar success rates in diagnosing early blood loss. Additionally, the SI and IVCD may be superior to the IVCD/AAD in bleeding patients requiring simultaneous fluid resuscitation.

The Feasibility of the Ultrasound-Guided Femoral Nerve Block Procedure with Low-Dose Local Anesthetic in Intracapsular and Extracapsular Hip Fractures.

BACKGROUND: The local anesthetic dosages used in the current literature in regional applications of local anesthetics are frequently high for surgical purposes, and there are no sufficient dosage studies for emergency department (ED) management. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the success of lower local anesthetic dosages capable of reducing costs and excessive exposure to drugs in pain control in patients with femoral neck fractures (FNFs) in the ED. METHODS: Patients ≥65 years of age with FNFs and reporting Wong-Baker Pain Rating Scales scores ≥8 were included in this prospective, interventional study. Patients underwent ultrasound-guided regional femoral block with 5 mL 2% prilocaine. Pain scores before the procedure and at 30 min and 2 h postprocedure were compared with the Friedman test and Wilcoxon test with Bonferroni correction. RESULTS: Forty patients, 20 with intracapsular and 20 with extracapsular FNFs, were enrolled. The initial pain scores of patients with both intra- and extracapsular fractures were 8 (range 8-10). A statistically significant 50% decrease in pain scores was observed in both groups 30 min after the regional block procedure (p < 0.001). A statistically significant 75% decrease in pain scores was observed in both groups 2 h after the regional block procedure (p < 0.001). No statistically significant difference was determined in the change in 30-min and 2-h pain scores between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of 5 mL 2% prilocaine for pain control in FNFs in elderly patients in the ED can reduce systemic analgesic requirements by establishing effective analgesia in both intracapsular and extracapsular fractures.

Euglisemic diabetic ketoacidotic coma caused by dapagliflozin.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious and potentially life-threatening acute complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2(SGLT-2) inhibitors are new orally administered antihyperglycemic agents. These agents are related with rarely seen euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (eDKA) cases, which are difficult to diagnose in emergency department (ED) because of absence of an evident hyperglycemia and may result with potentially dangerous outcomes if missed. In this study, we present a clinical case of a patient, admitted to ED with altered mental status after SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin administration.

Appropriate dose of tranexamic acid in the topical treatment of anterior epistaxis, 500 mg vs 1000 mg: A double-blind randomized controlled trial.

AIMS: Patients with epistaxis typically visit the emergency department for initial treatment. According to recent studies, tranexamic acid (TXA) is effective in the treatment of epistaxis. This study compared the therapeutic superiority of saline to that of 500 and 1000 mg doses of topical TXA for the treatment of anterior epistaxis. Materials and methods: This phase 4 clinical trial was a randomized, controlled, and double-blind trial. A total of 152 patients were divided into three groups. Group 1 was treated with 1000 mg TXA, Group 2 with 500 mg TXA, and Group 3 with saline. Results: Based on multinomial logistic regression analysis, the bleeding frequency at the 5th minute was 2.9 times and rebleeding status was 4.3 times less in Group 1 (1000 mg TXA) than in Group 3 (saline). There were no differences between the three groups in terms of side effects or salvage therapy. Conclusion: In addition to its superiority in treatment, 1000 mg of TXA is recommended because of the decreased rate of recurrent bleeding and low incidence of side effects.

A rare cause of dyspnea in emergency medicine: transfusion-related acute lung injury.

The earliest definition of transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) included all patients who developed acute respiratory distress, moderate to severe hypoxemia, rapid onset of pulmonary edema, mild to moderate hypotension, and fever within 6 hours of receiving a plasma containing blood transfusion. The definition excluded patients if they had underlying cardiac or respiratory disease. The mechanism is not known exactly but it causes morbidity and mortality. Incidence of TRALI changes between 0.08% and 15% of patients receiving a blood transfusion. A 78 year old female patient with history of myelodysplastic syndrome, coronary artey disease and hypertansion, was admitted to the hospital because of dyspnea after the blood transfusion. She was managed as TRALI after diagnostic workup and transported to the intensive care unit. In the following days her clinical status changed dramatically with complete recovery.

The effect of stress hyperglycemia seen in acute ST-segment elevation in myocardial infarction on in-hospital mortality.

INTRODUCTION: The brief rise in blood glucose level during acute physiological stress in patients with no previous symptoms of diabetes mellitus is called stress hyperglycemia. METHODS: This study is conducted with 1033 patients over the age of 18 who are diagnosed with STEMI and who did not meet the exclusion criteria for 1 year. Patients were divided into 2 groups as DM and non-DM and their blood glucose levels, demographic data (age, sex, cardiovascular risk factors, DM, HT presence/absence, history of smoking), vital signs, fatal arrhythmia requiring intervention (ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation), cardiac insufficiency development according to Killip score, length of hospital stay, mortality and cardiogenic shock conditions were evaluated. Statistical analysis was made using SPSS 23.0 for Windows® (IBM Inc. Chicago, IL, USA). Results were considered significant at p < 0.05, with a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: In non-DM group, BG has been found to be significantly higher in mortal cases compared to surviving cases (289.25 ± 106.35 mg/dL for mortal cases; whereas 156.99 ± 58.60 mg/dL for surviving cases; p < 0.001). Likewise, in DM group BG has been found to be higher in mortal cases compared to surviving cases. (328.38 ± 77.13 mg/dL for mortal cases while 237.16 ± 95.00 mg/dL for surviving cases; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: For patients who are admitted to the hospital with STEMI, stress hyperglycemia in the non-DM group and hyperglycemia in the DM group are associated with both mortality and adverse conditions; thereby, glucose levels of those patients must be evaluated.

The Evaluation of End Tidal Carbon Dioxide Values in Intubated Patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to establish the value of PETCO2 in COVID-19 patients intubated in emergency department, and its effects on mortality.  Objectives: Between May 15, 2020 and January 15, 2021, The patients aged ≥18 years and diagnosed COVID-19, scheduled for urgent intubation in the emergency department were included. METHOD: Single-center, prospective and observational study. Age, gender, vital signs, laboratory findings are recorded. Immediately after intubation as measured by the capnography, the initial PETCO2_1 and at post-ventilation 15 min, PETCO2_2 and first, second arterial blood gas analysis are recorded. RESULTS: The mean age of the 48 patients was 74 years. The PETCO2_1 and PETCO2_2 measurements were statistically significantly different between the patients who survived and those who died (p=0.014, p=0.015). The patients with a high first PETCO2_1 value and a decrease to the normal level survived, but those with a low PETCO2_1 value that could not increase to a normal value died (p=0.038, p=0.031). Increased levels of SpO2, PETCO2_1, PETCO2_2 and PaCO2_2 decreased the risk of mortality, while an increased level of PaO2_2 increased the risk of mortality. CONCLUSION: Capnography is non-invasive and provides continuous measurement. Assessment of changes in PETCO2 value would contribute to patient survival.

Relationship between a Prolonged Corrected QT Interval and Mortality in Patients Presenting with Syncope at the Emergency Department.

BACKGROUND: Syncope is a common symptom in emergency department patients. Among various etiological factors, cardiac causes have the highest risk of mortality. The corrected QT interval is considered an independent predictor of mortality for many diseases. OBJECTIVES: Analyze QT interval analysis of patients presenting to the emergency department with syncope. METHODS: In this prospective observational study, patients who presented to the emergency department with syncope between January 1, 2018, and January 1, 2019 were included. RESULTS: The median age was 64 (49-78) years, and 58.8% of patients were male. The corrected QT interval (QTc) in patients with coronary artery disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was longer than those without. There was no statistically significant association between hypertension, diabetes, stroke, thyroid disease, and prolonged QTc. Patients who did not survive had significantly prolonged QT intervals. According to ROC analysis, sensitivity of >440.5 ms QTc values in predicting mortality was 86% and specificity was 71% (AUC = 0.815; 95%CI = 0.71 - 0.91; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients admitted to emergency department with syncope and a prolonged QTc are associated with a higher mortality rate and thus can provide us with an important guide for the management of these patients.

The value of the inferior vena cava ultrasound in the decision to hospitalise in patients with acute decompensated heart failure; the best sonographic measurement method?

OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of this study was to determine the value of the inferior vena cava (IVC) ultrasound in the decision to hospitalise acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) patients. Our secondary aim was to find the most successful IVC measurement method in monitoring volume status. METHODS: ADHF patients were accepted over a 1-year period in this study. Patients' vital signs, laboratory tests and IVC measurements measured by six methods (in B- and M-mode; maximum, minimum diameter and caval index) performed on an hourly basis were recorded. The presence of any statistically significant difference between the IVC measurement methods, laboratory tests and vital parameters between the hospitalised and discharged patients was calculated. ROC curves were produced in order to determine the ability of parameters to differentiate two groups. Spearman's correlation test was used to investigate correlation between the IVC measurement methods and patients' urine outputs. RESULTS: A total of 71 patients were included in the study; 42 of these were hospitalised and 29 were discharged. Potassium, brain natriuretic peptide, respiration rate, urine output, maximum and minimum IVC diameters differed significantly between the two groups. Minimum IVC diameter measured in M-mode was identified as a weak marker with 65% sensitivity and 64% specificity (+PPV: 73%; -NPV:54%) for hospitalisation. Change in maximum IVC diameter measured in B-mode exhibited a high degree of correlation with change in body fluid (cc: 0.802). CONCLUSION: IVC ultrasound may have a limited value in the decision to hospitalise ADHF patients. But Maximum IVC diameter may be an ideal method for monitoring hypervolemic patients' volume status. CLINICAL TRIALS IDENTIFIER: NCT02725151.

Bedside ultrasound diagnosis of intracardiac paperclip.

Penetrating cardiac injuries are rarely reported in the literature. Foreign bodies are rarely seen in the heart and most patients with penetrating cardiac injuries die from hemorragic or pericardial tamponade before arriving at the hospital. Bedside ultrasonography is a highly valuable and readily learned tool that has expanded rapidly since its introduction more than 20 years ago. Our case was a 23-year-old convict brought to the emergency department (ED) with a history of continuous chest pain in the upper area of the left side of the chest for one week. Focused Cardiac Sonography (FOCUS) which was performed by emergency physician showed a strong echogenic linear structure with comet tail artifact, free floating in the mid-segment of the left ventricule. Exact localizations of the paperclips within the chest was obtained with multidetector computed tomography and one of them was seen in the left ventricular cavity. FOCUS plays a crucial role in these patients by diagnosing the injury and detecting the complications in emergency department.

When does a D-dimer test help make the diagnosis of aortic dissection?

We present a case of an 84-year-old woman who presented with vague abdominal discomfort and syncope secondary to a type A acute aortic dissection. In pursuit of the diagnosis, multiple tests were ordered after the history and physical exam were complete. When the D-dimer levels were reported to be high, a bedside transthoracic ultrasound was performed which showed dilated aortic root and pericardial tamponade, leading us to order a computerized tomography to confirm the diagnosis of acute aortic dissection. A diagnostic testing algorithm being used in our institution using D-dimer, ultrasound, and other tests are provided in patients presenting with possible acute aortic dissection. In this case, bedside ultrasound helped us to rapidly make the diagnosis of acute aortic dissection and arrange for further inpatient care.

A deadly complication of superficial muscular needle electromyography: bilateral pneumothoraces.

Needle electromyography (EMG) is an expression of the physiological or pathophysiological state of muscles. Selection of the type of electrode used during these measurements is based upon several factors, including the location of the muscle of interest, the need for specificity, and the requirement of minimization of cross-talk between adjacent muscles. Pneumothorax is a serious complication of needle EMG. Here, we present a 19-year-old patient who suffered bilateral pneumothoraces as a complication of needle EMG. She has a history of weakness and limitation of abduction on her right shoulder for three years. EMG was ordered by orthopedic surgeon to determine whether a dorsal scapular or long thoracic nerve paralysis caused these symptoms. She was brought to our emergency department (ED) with the complaints of diaphoresis and dyspnea which began after needle EMG was performed two hours ago. A chest X-ray revealed bilateral small pneumothoraces and was confirmed by computed thoracic tomography scan. Patient was admitted to observation unit in ED. Thoracic ultrasonography was preferred to follow up the patient. After five days, pneumothoraces were dissolved on bilaterally and the patient was discharged to home. Iatrogenic pneumothorax is a complication observed at various clinical fields. Emergency physician must consider this possibility in patients admitted with dyspnea after needle EMG.